Firms face court for dodging Cambridge’s business improvement district levy

About 50 businesses face being taken to court for failing to pay towards £3.5 million of city centre improvements.

They have not contributed the required 1 per cent of their rateable value towards the business improvement district project (BID), which was set up in Cambridge last April after a vote by traders.

Only £16,000 is outstanding, out of the total levy of £736,000, and £3,200 of that relates to businesses which went into administration.

But Edward Quigley, the BID manager, said the organisation had been very patient since 1,100 bills were sent out last April and that it was legal requirement to pay.

Some are struggling to find the money to pay, while others don’t want to cough up the extra cash – amid claims that significant improvements are yet to be seen.

Mr Quigley told the News: “We have been very patient with non-payers because it’s the first year of the BID, and we have asked for patience from the BID-paying community because we have had to set the company up.

“But it isn’t right that 98 per cent have paid and a small number haven’t. We are going to have a chat with them and try to encourage them that the BID will deliver for them, but those that don’t want to pay will be chased by the council, and that will be in the next month or so.

“The ethos of the BID is that everyone chips in so everyone benefits.”

For the smallest businesses covered by the levy in the city centre, with a rateable value of £20,000, the annual bill is £200.

So far the BID has invested in Christmas lights and in ‘city ambassadors’ to guide visitors.

Projects starting soon including a ‘rapid response’ cleaning team, a food waste collection for businesses, and efforts to help firms cut their bills.

Jeremy Waller, who runs Primavera art gallery in King’s Parade, said he had paid, but only reluctantly.

He said: “Is it value for money? I would have to say no at this stage.”